Newport locals and the family of musician extraordinaire Zach Konowalchuk, 24, are in mourning at his passing this week while hiking on a trail at South Beach. Authorities suspect Konowalchuk suffered a heart attack.

Konowalchuck grew up in Newport, attended Newport High and was always playing music, according to close friends. They say he was best known for his fiddle playing but there were few instruments he didn’t play.

The family will announce shortly the time and place of a celebration of his life which they expect to conduct in a public place. It was in public places where Zack loved to play his music.